South Korea and Singapore Have the Most Powerful Passports in 2018

The results are out – this year, South Korea and Singapore have the world’s most powerful passports.

According to the Global Passport Index, South Korea and Singapore passport holders can enter 163 countries without a visa – or with visa on arrival or electronic travel authority (eTA) – rendering them the top spot.

“We are currently seeing not one, but two Asian countries with the most powerful passports in the world,” said Armand Arton, founder and president of Arton Capital, the company behind the index. “This is a testament to the increased global respect and trust Asian countries are commanding.”

Australia took the seventh position. Below are the Index’s top 10 countries:

1. Singapore, South Korea

2. Germany, Japan

3. Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Italy, France, Spain

4. Luxembourg, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Portugal, UK

5. Switzerland, Ireland, USA, Canada

6. Greece, Malaysia

7. Malta, Czechia, Australia

8. New Zealand

9. Hungary, Iceland

10. Slovenia, Poland, Lithuania, Slovakia, Latvia

On the other hand, 19 countries take the top spot as the most welcoming places for all passport holders: Bolivia, Cambodia, Comoros, Ivory Coast, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritania, Micronesia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Samoa, Seychelles, Somalia, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, Togo, and Uganda.